U.S. forces struck more than 70 Islamic State targets across central Syria on Friday in what Donald Trump described as “very serious retaliation” for an attack that killed three Americans last weekend.
The December 13 assault near Palmyra was carried out by a lone gunman linked to Islamic State, according to Washington. Two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed.
U.S. Central Command said the strikes hit more than 70 targets using fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery, employing over 100 precision munitions against known ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites.
Trump warned on social media that those who attack Americans “will be hit harder than you have ever been hit before.” CENTCOM added that follow-up operations in Syria and Iraq have killed or detained 23 militants.
Syria’s foreign ministry said it remained committed to denying IS any safe havens. The attack was the first since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, underscoring the group’s continued presence despite years of U.S.-led operations under Operation Inherent Resolve.
